Autistic girl comes to para-fencer’s aid

Bhubaneswar: Leela Tanya Choudhury, an autistic girl from the city, has offered a helping hand to wheelchair-bound fencer Madhusmita Sahu to enable her to participate in an international event. On Friday, Bhadrak district collector Siddeshwar Baliram Bondar handed over sports kit worth Rs 3.7 lakh to the polio-afflicted Madhusmita in the presence of 22-year-old Tanya and her younger sister Diksha.“We got the details of the girl and contacted her coach Rakhal Sethi,” said Tanya’s mother Joshma Choudhury. She said they also approached the Bhadrak collector and expressed their willingness to sponsor the kit so that Madhusmita can represent India at international events without any obstacle.Tanya’s parents said they are happy to support their daughter’s willingness to help Madhusmita. Tanya’s father G P Choudhury said part of the money has come from his daughter’s earnings from vocational work. Despite physical and financial challenges, Madhusmita has made a name for herself in wheelchair fencing. Earlier this year, she won gold and silver for the state at the national-level wheelchair fencing competition held in Karnal, Haryana. A native of Rameshwarpur village in Bhadrak, Madhusmita is delighted. “I still can’t believe I have the sports kit and will be able to take part in international tournaments,” Madhusimita said.